Report: PSG attempting to sign French star Paul Pogba from Manchester United

Paris Saint-Germain has been busy this summer, but one name stands above the rest in the French club’s transfer wish list.

French star midfielder Paul Pogba is reportedly in PSG’s plans, according to ESPN. The 28-year old has one year left on his contract at Manchester United and has repeatedly stated his desire to leave the club. His performance at Old Trafford has received mixed reviews, largely due to his injuries and inconsistent play early. However, Pogba was instrumental in helping the club finish second in the Premier League and reaching the Europa League final this past season.

He’s also one of the deadliest midfielders in the world when motivated and engaged, as France’s Euro 2020 run showed. Pogba’s ability to create magic out of seemingly nothing is second to none.

Pogba’s arrival would be part of a significant summer overhaul for PSG. The club has already added former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos on free transfers, while spending a whopping $66 million on Inter Milan’s versatile wingback Achraf Hakimi. PSG would have to offload many of its current midfielders to make room for Pogba’s contract, but the tradeoff is worth the projected value the French star brings.

PSG has been one of Ligue 1’s most successful clubs in recent years. After failing to make noise in the league for 14 seasons after their second domestic title, the club has won seven championships in the last nine seasons. In the previous 10 years, PSG has either finished first or second in Ligue 1.

However, the club now has a potential problem surrounding star forward Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe is under contract through this season, but he’s been linked to basically every club who can afford him. PSG has done well on the domestic front, but it failed to win the league last season and bowed out ahead of schedule in the Champions League.

The club is heavily favored to win Ligue 1 this upcoming season at -560 and is pegged as the second-favorite in the Champions League at +600, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Success in both competitions will not guarantee Mbappe’s signature on a long-term deal, but it will go a long way towards doing so.

Pogba’s value is projected to be north of $60 million, but he could be had for less due the clubs being short on cash after the pandemic. Manchester United could be willing to take less money to offload the talented, but often malcontent star. A change of scenery could do wonders for Pogba as he gets one year to showcase his value before re-entering the market as a free agent at 29.

If PSG fails to land Pogba, look for the club to pursue Eduardo Camavinga and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as fallback options. The team is also reportedly in on AC Milan and Italy star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The upcoming season will define PSG’s future. If the club can run away with Ligue 1 while also reaching the Champions League final, it should provide Mbappe with enough confidence to sign a long-term deal before re-entering the market in his prime. PSG is showing tremendous commitment towards fielding a dominant team, but only time will tell if the moves are enough to keep the club’s prized 22-year old forward.